News

Cold Stone kicks open the doors in India

May 13, 2016

With temperatures this month hovering around the mid-90s in southern India, patrons of the country's first Cold Stone Creamery location had to lick fast to enjoy their tasty treats. Yet the weather didn't appear to prevent many people from welcoming the ice cream shop to Lulu Mall in the city of Kochi, near the southwestern tip of India.

In fact, nearly 4,000 people crowded in to say hello to the new outlet late last week. According to a company press release, the top choice was much like it is in the U.S., chocolate. In fact, 160 fans enjoyed Chocolate Devotion on May 7 alone.

Cold Stone's parent company, Kahala Brands, joined with Tablez Food Company to bring the ice cream shop to India. The partnership plans to open 40 locations in India and five in Sri Lanka over the next five years. 

"With this grand opening, we are all set to establish Cold Stone Creamery as the most preferred choice for ice cream in all of India," said Tablez Food Company CEO Shafeena Yusuff Ali. "We are confident our locations will enjoy the same popularity that Cold Stone Creamery locations do in other international markets because of the unique flavors and innovative offerings."

A company press release shared that among the 4,000 attending the opening was a family which had driven from Kerala, 150 miles away, to be among the first to enjoy the ice cream.

"It has been so exciting to watch this grand opening event unfold," said Eddy Jimenez, senior VP of international operations and development. "Just within the first two hours of opening, 500 happy customers were served ice cream — that was exciting to see! This location is just one of many that will open here in India and we are thrilled at the initial response from the community at large."

The international growth of Cold Stone Creamery began in November 2005 when the first international store opened in Tokyo, Japan. Cold Stone Creamery stores are operating in more than 300 international locations in 27 countries abroad, including Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, Trinidad, Brazil, Nigeria, Egypt, Canada and Indonesia.